The Tragic Fate of SS Cyprus: A Mysterious Lake Superior Shipwreck
On October 11, 1907, the SS Cyprus, a newly commissioned lake freighter, set sail on only her second voyage, carrying a valuable cargo of iron ore from Superior, Wisconsin, to Buffalo, New York. Little did the crew know that this fateful journey would end in a harrowing disaster that would claim the lives of all but one of the 23 members on board.
As Cyprus sailed through Lake Superior, a moderate gale began to churn the waters off Deer Park, Michigan. The ship’s experienced crew believed that the vessel could handle the prevailing weather conditions. However, as the day wore on, Cyprus started to list to port due to the pounding waves from the northwesterly winds. By 7:45 p.m., disaster struck, and the ship abruptly capsized, sending panic and chaos among the crew.
Second Mate Charles G. Pitz miraculously managed to secure himself on a raft along with Captain F. B. Huyck and two others. They clung to hope as they floated towards shore, but the unforgiving waves and surf took their toll. By 2:00 a.m., all but Pitz had succumbed to the treacherous waters, drowning within reach of land. Pitz, disoriented and battered, staggered ashore half a mile east of the Deer Park Life-Saving Station, becoming the sole survivor of the ill-fated Cyprus.
The cause of the ship’s sudden listing and subsequent capsizing remained shrouded in mystery. Reports of a red wake trailing Cyprus suggested that water might have mixed with the iron ore dust in the cargo hold, possibly leading to a leak. The type of Mulholland sliding hatch cover the ship was equipped with was also suspected to be prone to water ingress if not properly secured with tarpaulins. Yet, no conclusive evidence surfaced to pinpoint the exact reason for the tragic event.
Alternate theories speculated that a potential engine or rudder failure may have left Cyprus vulnerable to the powerful waves, while others suggested that labor unrest during the ship’s construction in Lorain, Ohio, could have contributed to previously undiscovered flaws. Whatever the cause, Cyprus’s sinking resulted in a devastating $280,000 loss.
For decades, the wreck of SS Cyprus remained hidden beneath the depths of Lake Superior, its exact location a mystery. It wasn’t until August 2007 that members of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society discovered a large object on the lake bottom during a search for other wrecks. Initially mistaken for the SS D.M. Clemson, further investigations using a submersible ROV revealed the shocking truth – the wreck was that of the long-lost SS Cyprus.
Lying on her port side in approximately 460 feet of water, the Cyprus was remarkably well-preserved despite her violent end. Her hull remained intact, and wreckage, including wall panelings, doors, railings, pipes, and remnants of her iron ore cargo, was scattered around her. Remarkably, her name and port of call remained legible on her stern, a testament to the enduring nature of maritime history.
The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society plans to return to the site for further research to shed light on the unanswered questions surrounding the Cyprus’s sinking. Until then, the SS Cyprus remains a poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of Lake Superior and the tragic events that can unfold on its tumultuous waters.
